Writing a Personal Statement

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Transcript of Writing a Personal Statement

Whats special, unique, distinctive and/or impressive about you and your life story?What are your long termCareer Goals?What have you learned about the field that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited for it?Answer the Questions that are Asked!!!Choose a FOCUS...Concentrate on your Opening Paragraph...the lead paragraph is the most important- grab the readers attention, or you might lose it! Create Strong Transitions...Create a Concluding Observation..."The mistake people make most often is not to look at what the questions are asking."-Lee CunninghamDirector of AdmissionsThe University of ChicagoGeneral Advice...Advice from AdmissionsWriting a Personal Statement......an inside lookWhat is a Personal Statement?Ask yourself...?What details of your life might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?personal or family experienceshistorypeople or events that have shaped or influenced your goalsWhen did you become interested in this field?Why/how did you choose this major?How have you learned about the specific field- through classes? Readings? Seminars? Personal experience?How has any work/ volunteer experience contributed to your growth? Do you have leadership or managerial skills?Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that need to be explained?What personal characteristics do you possess that would make you successful? Integrity? Compassion? Persistence?Why are you a stronger candidate than everyone else?? What is the MOST COMPELLING reason they should choose you?Tell a Story...Be Specific.<Find an Angle>Avoid Cliche's!Research!!Grammar.Tell what you know...*Avoid some subjects*this paragraph becomes the Framework for the rest of your statement. (thesis statement)Choose a Main Point or Theme that you will support throughout the rest of your statementMost personal statements are centered around "Why I should be accepted to ..." - try to find something unique & personalWhile your personal statement should be unique- it doesn't have to be about something life shattering! Focus on something you can write about with conviction, enthusiasm and authority.Find an experience that you see as a "turning point"- why are you changed because of it?create a bridge between your thoughts and ideasrestate your focus to show how it has evolved over time from your experiencesFor Example..."Trying to second-guess what we are looking for is a common mistake- which we can sense."-Steven DeKreyDirector of AdmissionsNorthwestern University"...we know you have lots of extracurricular activities- we want to know how you differ, what makes you unique?"-Michael RappaportAssistant Dean of AdmissionsUCLA"The applicant has to realize, first of all, where he or she stands. If you have a straight-A grade point average and a perfect LSAT score, you don't have to spend a lot of time worrying about your personal statement. On the other hand, if you know you're in the borderline area, that's where the personal statement becomes very, very important."-Michael RappaportAssistant Dean of AdmissionsUCLA"The personal statement carries the responsibility of presenting the student's life experiences." -Beth O'NeilDirector of AdmissionsUniversity of California at Berkeley"Applicants also tend to state and not evaluate. They give a recitation of their experience but no evaluation of what effect that particular experience had on them, no assessment of what certain experiences or honors meant."-Beth O'NeilDirector of AdmissionsUniversity of California at Berkeley"Another mistake is that everyone tries to make himself or herself the perfect law school applicant who, of course, does not exist and is not nearly as interesting as a real human being."-Beth O'NeilDirector of AdmissionsUniversity of California at Berkeley"We look for originality because nine out of ten essays leave you with a big yawn. "I like science, I like to help people and that's why I want to be a doctor." The common, uninteresting and unoriginal statement..."-Dr. Daniel Alonso Associate Dean of AdmissionsCornell University Medical College"And more important than anything: BE YOURSELF. Really show your personality. Tell us WHY YOU ARE UNIQUE and WHY WE SHOULD ADMIT YOU."

-Dr. Daniel AlonsoAssociate Dean of AdmissionsCornell University Medical College1. Don't regurgitate your resume!2. Sell WHY YOU are a GOOD FIT.3. Focus on your strengths.4. Can be non-academic- what are your accomplishments outside of the classroom?5. Write from the heart <36. What have you experienced that has made you who you are today?7. An opportunity to address discrepancies in your academic career.8. Don't procrastinate!!!9. Don't use big words- this is about YOU!10. If there are questions, make sure you are answering them!Remember; no one is admitted or denied JUST because of their Personal Statement.Why this program? School? Scholarship? Your Story...Experience...Sell Yourself...Final TipsGet your Statement critiqued (Writing Center, Career Center)

Read out loud to yourself

Talk to someone who's been though it

Pay attention to format- is there a word length?

Writing Center Locations:Park Hall, Room 66Science Library, Room 201MLC, Room 302Career Center Walk In Hours:Monday-Friday, 12-2pm2nd floor, Clark Howell HallOutline:Connect to each other--4 squareWhat subject/major/program are you interested in?What first sparked your interest in this program? (read something, tv show, family, friends, money etc.)Name three accomplishments that make you the most proud?Name three skills you feel make you unique?TeachWhat is a personal statement?What questions should you consider?What should You include?What do experts have to say?Put it into practiceLets critique a personal statement in pairsQuiz time!